Combined polishing ajstd sobting machine



Jan. 15, 1929.

R. V. JUDSON COMBINED POLISHING AND SORT 1N6 MAGHINE J22 k z; 305.

Filed Nov. 30, 1926 Patented Jan. 15, 1929.

u, ryrsn star RUSSELL V. JUDSON, OF DETRGIT, MICHIGAN.

COMBINED POL.I$I-IING nun SORTING MACHINE.

Application filed November This invention relates to machines designed for automatically sorting or pickinn grain, such as beans, by utilizing the differences in smoothness of surface and regularity of outline which usually distinguish the perfect or better quality kernels from those which are split, rotted, shriyeled or otherwise below grade. Since any dirt adhering to the suriace of the grain will tend to increase its roughness and thereby *ause such a machine to discard such dirtroug'hened kernels regardless of their actual quality, the object of this invention is to provide means for" removing the dirt and polishing the grain prior to the sorting operation, preferably as a step in a continuous process of treatment and by means incorporated in the same machine which does the sorting. t consists-in certain elements and features of construction in comblnation herein shown and described, and as indicated by the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view ofa machine enibodyiugthis invention, partly in section and with certain parts broken away to show details of construction.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of a polishingbrush for the machine;

Figure 3 a detail section taken at a radial vertical planethrough the polishing brush and associated parts.

For purposes of illustration I haveshown this invention applied to a machine which is generally similar to that shown in my copending application Serial No. 630,667, eutitlcd Centrifugal sorting machine, but may be understood that the utility of the invention is not confined to this particular model or even to this particular type of structure, though as to certain features it is especially well adapted for incorporation in a machine of the centrifugal class.

Referring first to Figure 1, the supporting base or pedestal, 1, extends upward in the form of a hollow center post, 2, which carries an annular bearing, 3, on which there is revolubly mounted a frame, 1, supporting a series of radially disposed rubber rolls, 5, whose function is to separate the rough kernels from the smooth ones by frictional engagement with the former and by permitting the latter to travel radially outward under the influence of the centrifugal force generated by revolution of the frame, 4. An upstanding flange or wall, 6, on the frame, 4,

- rolls, 5.

so, 1925. Serial no, 151, ?44.

forms an annular trough, 7, from which the beansare distributed through ports, 8, leading to the'several pairs of picking rolls, A feed hopper, 9, into which the beans are initially placed is preferably provided with a. coarse mesh screen, 10, to hold back any large stones or other impurities, and from the discharge throat, 11, of the hopper, 9, the beans flow by gravity onto a screen, 12, of finer mesh which allows the passage of only the line dirt or scale. A. funnel, 13, directly below the screen, 12, collects this dirt and discharges it downwardly through the hollow post, 2. l

For, polishing the beans prior to, their delivery to the sorting rolls, 5, I provide a brush member, 14-, which is supported over the screen, 12, by brackets.jl5, upstanding from the base of thetrough, 7, and secured rigidly: th'eretosso that the brush, 1 1,'is reyoluble with the frame, 4, while the screen. 12, being supported on the funnel, 13, and post, 2, is stationary. The bristles, 16, of the brush, 14, extend clos y-adjacentthe screen, 12, being spaced abov 01-115,; enough to permit the passage of the be ans under the brush and in contact with the ends of the bristles so as to receive a polishing action therefrom as they travel outwardly toward the edge of the screen, 12, tofall into the trough, 7, for distributionto the picking To insure such outward movement of the beans over-the screen,f12, I find it preferable to arrange the bristles, 16, in spiral rows as shown in Figure 2, and in such relation to the direction of rotation I have indicated by the arrow, A, on said Figure 2. Thus in their passage across the screen. 12. the beans are quite thoroughly scoured and tumbled so that the sound and smooth kernels have all dirt loosened and removed fromtheir surfaces so as to insure that they will pass freely across the picking rolls. This also gives them a polish which renders them more attractive and salable than otherwise. i

The center of the brush board, 1 l, is formed with an opening, 17, affording ample clearance around the discharge throat, 11, of the fixed hopper, 9. As the good beans are oiseharg'ed centrifugallyfrom the rolls, 5, they fall into the outer collecting funnel, 18, which is fixedly supported on the base and whose discharge spout, 19, may be arranged over a trough, 20, leading directly to a bag, 21, which is to be filled with the selected grain. An "inner funnel, aaebuece the culls and dirt which are pulled through the rolls, 5, by frictional contact, and this material is discharged by 'al'spout, not visible in the particular View of the machine afforded by the drawing. The dirt which is eliminated by the screen, 12, passes directly downward through the hollow post,l2, into a bin or box, 23, as indicated. The collecting hoppers, 18 andQQ arest-ati nary, and motion is transmitted to the revoluble frame, 4, from a pulley, 24, on'a sl1aft,25, extending through the hoppers and fitted at its inner endlwith abevelgear,'26, meshing with suit ably formed gear t eeth,27, on the underside of the member, 4, In order to make a port able unitof the entire machine the feedhopper, 9, maybe rigidly carried by means of supports, 28, extending upwardly from the rim "of the hopper, 18.

1. Ina grain sorting machinewhich includes a receiving hopper and sorting mechanism to which the grainis fed therefrom, .a polishing device interposed between the hopper and said mechanism comprising a'support and a brush movable with respect to each other and between which said grain is passe-d;' such relative movement being derived from the movement of the sorting mechanism. a 2.In'a grainsorting machine which includes a receiving hopper and sorting mechanisni to which the grain is fed therefrom, a

polishing device iiicorporated in said machine and comprising a: support for the grain and a brush adjacent said support, thegrain being caused to pass between said brush'and support on its way from the hopper tothe sorting mechanism. n o

3. In the combination defined claimr2,

port.

said-grain being advanced between the brush 7 and support by movement derived from the movement of the sorting'mechanism.

' 4. In combination with a centrifugal grain sorting machine comprising a revoluble frame supporting radially disposed picking "rolls andan annular trough into which the grain is fed reidistribution to said rolls, a hopper centrally mounted with respect to said trough, a dirt screen onto which the grain is discharged from said hopper and over which it moves to said trough, and a brush disposed-- overjsaid screen for polishing engagement with the grain as it moves toward the trough.

5. In thecombination defined in claim 4, the screen being fixedly mounted and the brush being operativelyconnected with the said frame to revolve therewith.

6. In t-hecombination defined in claim 4, a center post upon which the revolu'ble' frame is journaled, a "dirt collecting 'fu'nnel 'supported onsaid postand, serving to support the screen in fixed relation thereto; the brush being attached to' said frame to revolve'with 7 In" the combination defined in claim 4, a hollow center postupon which the revoluble frame is 'jou'rnaled, a dirt'colle'ct ing funnel supported "on said post and discharging therethroug-h with "the screen" supported on said funnel in fixed position the brush'being operatively connected with the frame for revolution over said screen.

'8. In the combination'defined in claim 1, the grain bingfedonto the support at a central point, "arid the brush comprising bristles arra'n ed 'inspiral formation with respect to such point 'for causing'thegrain to move outwardly therefrom over the sup- N RUSSELL VQJUDSON. 

